Dubai Cares launches “Dine Out for Somalia” fundraising campaign

Campaign to provide Somali children with food and nutrition to prevent diseases and death caused by starvation

Dubai Cares has launched “Dine Out for Somalia”, a fund-raising campaign aimed at providing children in southern Somalia with much needed food and nutrition to prevent diseases and death caused by starvation. Launched to help combat the famine, described by the United Nations as the worst in a generation, the campaign aims to help save the lives of as many Somali children as possible.

The “Dine Out for Somalia” campaign will run from October 16th to November 20th, celebrated globally as World Food Day and Universal Children’s Day, respectively, with the final announcement of funds raised to be made on November 20th. Dubai Cares is inviting all restaurants to support and participate in this initiative through a percentage of sale promotion or by encouraging their customers to add AED 10 or more to their bill.

In total, four million people are in crisis and 750,000 people at risk of death in Somalia. According to the United Nations, tens of thousands of people have died, half of them being children. The UN estimates that in September almost three-quarters of the victims of the famine and drought would have received help, however aid workers stated that a massive food distribution operation will be needed for months to come. Tariq Al Gurg, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Cares, said, “Somalia is suffering its worst drought in six decades and with malnutrition and mortality rates among children expected to rise drastically, support in any shape and form can help save lives. Our campaign, supported by Time Out Dubai, has been launched to raise funds which will be utilized to provide the famine-affected children with urgently-needed food and nutrition. I urge and encourage the UAE community to lend their support as their role is extremely crucial.”

Restaurants can support this campaign by dedicating a specific dish from the menu where 100% of proceeds or an identified percentage of sales of a selected dish would be donated to Dubai Cares or by encouraging their customers to make a donation of AED 10 or more to Dubai Cares when presented with their bill.